Group manager of strategy and regulation Dr Nic Peet says the survey aimed to understand the extent of IWG that might be picked up by Government’s new freshwater rules, the kind of practices being carried out and to identify any sites of significant concern.
He says more than 100 sites were located and, at least from the air, there were no areas or practices of major concern identified. There were examples of good practice being employed.
Peet says Horizons’ consent monitoring officers will follow up on the ground with a number of landowners from a support and engagement perspective where IWG is in the proximity of rivers.
That will help farmers be ready to meet the standards in the National Environmental Standard – Freshwater (NES-F), some of which come into place in May 2022.
“The focus is on preparing farms to be operating at good practice ahead of the need to meet permitted activity standards, get a consent or implement freshwater farm plans,” Peet said.
Horizons will continue to liaise with landowners, catchment care groups and industry groups such as Beef + Lamb NZ.
Peet says Environment Minister David Parker has asked councils to report back to him on IWG.
While there is not yet a need to have a resource consent in place, unless farmers are establishing or expanding IWG, Horizons has been working with farmers, landowners, industry and catchment care groups around winter grazing and is conscious of the new rules that the Government has put in place.
